Dental trauma and level of information: Mouthguard use in different contact sports.

Dental trauma is a public health problem in our society that reaches a large number of people, in some cases, causing irreparable dental loss not only at the accident time but also during or post-treatment. Loss can occur after some years due to sequelae such as root resorption.

Trauma in athletes frequently occurs in younger patients, and in contact sports, thus representing an important group in dental trauma aetiology. As the number of athletes in contact sports and competitiveness increase, the trend is toward a substantial statistical growth involving traumatic accidents in sports during the last few years. Several studies indicate a high level of trauma in athletes. The incidence varies according to the sport, being even higher if compared to the global population.
However, dental trauma in sports differs from other dental trauma, as it is possible to easily prevent it and there is also the possibility to dramatically reduce the occurrence levels by the use of mouthguards that protect all dental and periodontal structures.

Conclusion

1. Groups of athletes with the highest rate of dental traumas were jiu-jitsu, handball and basketball players, respectively, which were the sports presenting the lowest rate of mouthguard usage.
2. In the martial arts modality groups of athletes proved to be highly informed about mouthguard, although such equipment has been scarcely used by them.
3. Awareness of the importance of mouthguards did not mean its usage by the athletes, except by hockey players.
4. Coaches, dentists, and parents should help athletes understand the necessity of using mouthguard while engaged in sport activities.